Mineral Makeup Must Haves: Create a Flawless Complexion Using Pure Ingredients from the Earth

Mica in rock formation. 

Earth Month has arrived. It gives us the chance to re-evaluate the way we recycle, reuse and reduce waste, and to rethink how we utilize our resources.

In the beauty industry, mineral makeup foundations, concealers, blushes and shadows contain mica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These finely ground natural minerals appeal to a variety of skin types, including acne and rosacea sufferers, due to the pureness of their properties. 

Mica can be found in a variety of rock formations. It possesses the ability to retain a sheen and glimmer in direct light, so it enhances luminosity and color when used in cosmetics products. 

Zinc oxide protects against sunburn. Due to its ability to sit on the skin's surface without being absorbed, it blocks the rays of ultraviolet light when used in sunscreens. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, so it's considered nonirritating, nonallergenic and noncomedogenic. 

Titanium dioxide has a high refraction capacity. Therefore, it's often utilized in cosmetics products to reflect light away from the skin. Similar to zinc oxide, it's added to sunscreens to block ultraviolet rays since it doesn't absorb into the dermal surface.

To make mineral makeup more moisturizing for the skin, formulations often blend in a variety of hydrating ingredients. They include sea kelp, jojoba seed and avocado oils, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe vera leaf juice. In honor of Earth Month, we've assembled the latest, greatest foundations and concealers designed to give you a luminous, flawless complexion. 

Let the celebration begin!

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Ultimate Natural Liquid Foundation (Light, Beige and Medium) and Super Cover Cream Concealer (Fair and Medium). BEAUTY: Balances and nourishes skin with titanium dioxide, iron oxides, jojoba seed and avocado oils, and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, SLS/SLES and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: Emani Hydrating Liquid Mineral Foundation (Natural Beige). BEAUTY: Apricot kernel oil, mica, hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed oil maximize coverage and moisture. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no parabens, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, FD&C dyes, glutens or talc.

SHINE: IT Cosmetics IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation (Light). BEAUTY: Create a flawless finish, and smooth and soften skin with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C and E. BEACON: No animal testing. Paraben and fragrance free. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream (Warm Glow). BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and apple and grape buds help color correct your complexion and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: USDA Organic certified. Free of parabens, petroleum, propylene and butylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: (Clockwise) Mineral Fusion Sheer Tint Foundation (Olive), Concealer Duo (Deep), Loose Powder Foundation (Warm 2) and Pressed Powder Foundation (Neutral 1). BEAUTY: Even skin tone, and smooth the appearance of fine lines with pomegranate extract, red and white tea leaf extracts, sea kelp, mica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Scott-Vincent Borba Anti-Fatigue 8 Hour Mineral Foundation: Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Duo with Broad Spectrum SPF 29 (Medium) and Anti-Fatigue Foundation/Contour Perfecting Brush. BEAUTY: Mica, diamond powder, jojoba seed oil and hyaluronic acid revitalize and restore tired skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

SHINE: Sumbody Olive Forever Medium Foundation and Under-Eye Concealer. BEAUTY: Create a natural finish and increase moisture retention with zinc oxide, pearl and silk powders, and silica microspheres. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sulfates, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals. 

SHINE: Tarte Cosmetics BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30 (Light, Medium and Tan). BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica and diamond powder minimize pores and skin imperfections, and maximize radiance. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. Supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation (Tawnee). BEAUTY: Soothe redness and step up suppleness with peptides, algae extract and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no alcohol, artificial fragrances and dyes, parabens, petroleum, mineral oil or talc. 

Dark Shadows: 6 Dramatic Under-Eye Concealers

Johnny Depp sinks his teeth into the role of Barnabas Collins.

At last! This Friday has been designated as National Call In To Work Sick Day. Well, OK... sadly that's not exactly the case. It's just wishful thinking, since the release date of the long-awaited remake of the TV cult classic "Dark Shadows" finally arrives on May 11.


Fans can expect lots of camp, comedy and great cameo performances as Johnny Depp portrays the vulnerable vampire Barnabas Collins. And no gothic soap opera would be complete without a few werewolves, warlocks, witches and zombies.


The macabre unfortunately brings out the worst in all of us--including menacing dark circles underneath the eyes. In honor of the release of "Dark Shadows," we've assembled the industry's best concealers, coverups and color correctors. Don't be afraid to wear them in the daylight!

SHINE: Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Revitalite Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector. BEAUTY: Reduces the appearance of under-eye puffiness, and helps lighten and brighten dark circles. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Ecco Bella FlowerColor Coverup (Beige and Medium Beige). BEAUTY: Use underneath your foundation to create a flawless complexion. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, dyes, fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers and alcohol.

SHINE: Mirabella Conceal (Diminish 1). BEAUTY: Hides blemishes and creates a base for your eye shadow to avoid creasing. BEACON: Contains no parabens, lead, talc or dye.

SHINE: Nvey Eco Eco Friendly Concealer Brush and Erase Corrector (Medium). BEAUTY: Brush head uses cruelty free synthetic fibers, while the non-creasing corrector formula provides balanced coverage to conceal redness, dark circles and imperfections. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of petroleum-based ingredients, talc, parabens, preservatives, SLS and propylene glycol.

SHINE: Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener. BEAUTY: Lightweight, brush-on brightener helps minimize dark circles. BEACON: Cruelty free. Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Susan Posnick ColorCorrect (C1). BEAUTY: Dual ended brightening/correcting pencil fills in under-eye area and softens lines on the face, while also camouflaging imperfections, sunspots and redness. BEACON: Supports SOAR (Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships) and Big Thought.